St. Kitts and Nevis are one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean, so what are the laws of weed in St. Kitts and Nevis. it is considered a tourism jewel in the Caribbean and many tourists visit this destination annually.
The country has some pristine white sandy beaches as well as blue turquoise waters which makes it an exceptional environment to enjoy your holiday.
The island has recently received other characterizing features such as the next Amsterdam because of the current marijuana laws in the country.
It is essential to note that St. Kitts and Nevis has decriminalized marijuana. Since the country is located in the Caribbean many people have resolved to make it like Jamaica where pot is a regular thing in the different parts of the state. However, you should always understand that it is illegal.
The cannabis that is grown on the island is only for local consumption and it is mostly found in the mountainous areas of the country.
Table of Contents
Is cannabis legal in St. Kitts?
Perhaps this is the most asked question by the people who are traveling to this awesome destination.
The simple answer is no. However, it is critical to note that it has been decriminalized therefore you can find it in different parts, especially for medicinal purposes.
The national cannabis commission in February 2019 announced that the local cabinet had accepted the legislation that would legalize medicinal marijuana in the country. In addition to this, the law indicated that it would decriminalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults over the age of 18.
Further reading: Weed in Bahamas
However, there are different loopholes when it comes to these laws and you should always ensure that you are familiar with them before making any conclusion because you can fall on the wrong side of the law.
The maximum amount of marijuana that an adult can possess for personal use is about 15 grams and this equates to about growing five plants. Anything beyond this is known to attract hefty fines, imprisonment as well as tickets.
A recent ruling by the court indicated that people over the age of 18 can possess and use cannabis in private and this is still under review, therefore, you should not assume that weed is legal in this destination.
Medicinal cannabis
In July 2019 the national assembly in St. Kitts passed a law that would decriminalize up to 15 grams of cannabis.
This was punishable by $50, however, if an individual is found consuming it in public then they are fined $1000.
Further reading: Weed in Fiji
This is important to understand because while marijuana is decriminalized in the country, the number of people using it has increased over the years.
Medical marijuana is allowed in the country and this is critical because of dealing with chronic infections such as multiple sclerosis, aids, as well as severe cases of arthritis. The pain-relieving features of the product mean that many people are opting to utilize it.
The laws also mean that they can dictate the people who are cultivating the crop and the species that are cultivated.
Cultivation of marijuana in St. Kitts
Perhaps this is the most important aspect when it comes to the case of marijuana in St. Kitts. Cultivation of cannabis in St. Kitts occurs after you have received a permit from the local drug council.
Once you have received the permission, you are then required to explore the different species that are available before choosing a variety that will suit your preference.
This monitoring is important because it helps in guaranteeing the quality of the products, mode of transportation a well as storage of different facilities in the region.
During the studies conducted by the local government, many people in the country wanted to cultivate marijuana for their own personal use.
This is especially critical because the quality of the species as well as the THC level must be monitored to ensure that the people are getting the right product.
There is an ongoing job on the bills to be made into laws to allow people to plant their own marijuana as well as have alternative medicinal treatments.
Can you sell cannabis in St. Kitts?
This is a controversial topic because many people want to assume that because the product has been decriminalized in the country it now means that anyone can sell it at any moment.
However, this is not the case because if you have to sell cannabis in St. Kitts then you have to obtain a license from the local government. These licenses are only given to clinics that are offering medicinal
marijuana and it is a fundamental aspect to understand the different features of the programs to allow you to access cannabis easily with a prescription in the area.
The laws in the country want to limit cannabis to private places, prohibiting its use in public spaces and schools while maintaining the constitutional right of the local people.
Smoking cannabis in public is usually punishable by a fine of up to $1000 and this is equated to 40 hours of community service if you seek an alternative option.
It is also important to understand that driving or doing any activity while under the influence of marijuana is considered negligence and professional misconduct and this could attract fines of up to $200 000 or prison time.
Therefore, while the state might be lenient to the possession of a small amount of marijuana, it is important to understand the underlying factors as well as rules and regulations to reduce chances of altercation with the law agencies.
Industrial cannabidiol in St. Kitts
There have been cases of different companies operating in the region growing industrial hemp.
This is possible but with a license from the local authorities you can carry out the process and it is also critical to ensure that you should go for quality seeds that will ensure you get a top product.
However, always ensure that you read the common law in the country before engaging in any marijuana activity.
How do the St. Kitts people view cannabis?
Since a majority of St. Kitts people are Rastafarians, they have love towards marijuana as it is used for their religious practices.
A majority of the population wants cannabis legalized in the country and this will probably be possible in the future with the changes in different sectors of the industry.
